I’m posting this essay on both of my blogs; here at virginialaken.com which deals with MCI and at hopeforcouples.com on which I write about aging and intimacy. I’m doing so because emotions and love are integral components of both areas—at least in my experience. While I try to be generally optimistic, stoic and hopeful—(certainly, I…

“A negative thought can be sensed before it reaches the mind…” When I read this discerning statement this morning during my mediation time, I wrote in my journal: “I would add, in addition to negative thoughts, the same is true of thoughts of loss and self-pity. So many times I focus on what I can…

Throughout my journey with MCI, my caregivers have played an evolving and ever more important role in my quality of life. Keith is an excellent caregiver—and getting better all the time. He’s patient, observant, and has transitioned from jumping in to try and fix any bump in my road, to asking “Do you need me…

Last week I had coffee with two women who, inadvertently through their conversation, helped me gain insight into why I have such difficulty asking for help. Both of these women were—I’m guessing—twenty to thirty years younger than me (I just turned 72 this past March). Each woman had, for at least the past eight years,…

Recently a good friend of mine, whom I haven’t seen in almost a year, invited herself over for lunch (a common occurrence, now that I’m no longer driving). She is my daughter’s age, with two children in college; one just finishing a year in Italy and the other in his last year at school on…

Dealing with MCI continues to be an uncharted journey, not just for me but also for my husband/caregiver and my family. Just when we seem to have established a routine for how we all work together and life seem to be humming along pretty smoothly—things change. In my experience with MCI, the illness itself ebbs…

This was a question my therapist asked me last week, and it has been circling in my thoughts for an answer ever since. I’ve been seeing the same therapist monthly since my diagnosis almost two years ago. I have mixed feelings about therapy. I know therapy is good for me, in that is a safe place…

This spring I was a participant and/or test subject in three interesting programs focused on dementia and Alzheimer’s. Programs in this field are being conducted all over the United States, which speaks to the growing awareness of the increasing number of people impacted by memory and cognitive decline—both the afflicted as well as the caregivers….

I’m fairly certain my therapist and most people who work with folks who have memory and cognitive issues will balk at this post; nevertheless I’m going to write it anyway. Part of my morning practice is to read from a selection of books of inspirational short essays or thought-provoking poetry—many of which I’ve read through…

As I’ve mentioned in past posts, Keith and I are fortunate to be associated with The Program in Human Sexuality at the University of Minnesota. Click here for an overview of the program and a video of Keith’s and my participation in a panel presentation to university medical students. This program has been of great…

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My name is Virginia Laken, and my journey into intimate storytelling began during a crisis in my marriage. Follow along on my blog to read my thoughts on coping with a diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).